Argentina's government has announced that it will file criminal charges against oil company Navitas Petroleum for operating in sea areas off the Falkland Islands.
The move follows Argentine President Javier Mile‑i's recent speech, in which he threatened sanctions on oil firms drilling near the British overseas territory, citing the area as an urgent danger to national sovereignty.
Navitas, which owns a 65% stake in the Sea Lion offshore oil field slated for production in 2028, claims its operations lie within the jurisdiction of the Falkland Islands, where it holds licensed permits.
Argentina argues that drilling without Argentine governmental approval violates national law, demanding that the state "continue to pursue actions deemed necessary to counter any act that breaches the sovereign rights of the Argentine Republic."
The British government has dismissed Mile‑i's speech and reiterated its steadfast position on the Falklands, while the companies involved have yet to respond to the charges.
